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A Lifegroup is a Christ centered community devoted to connecting with each other and encountering God together. These communities are based on the picture of the early church we find in Acts 2.

Being part of a Lifegroup has truly changed my life. I have involved in Lifergoups for the past four years; some of which I have led, some of which I have not. Some of them have been incredible, some have felt a little bit awkward. Some were filled with old friends, some were filled with new. But one thing has always been true: I have always been pointed towards Jesus.

Lifegroup has pointed me towards God in personal and collective ways.

I have developed genuine friendships through Lifegroup. I have found dear friends that encourage me, laugh with me and always point me back to Jesus. Regardless of my circumstances, the relationships I have gained from Lifegroup are irreplaceable.

I have encountered God through Lifegroup. Over and over again I am reminded of God’s faithfulness and righteousness because of my community. I have been vulnerable by asking for prayer only to be blown away by seeing God answering my cries.

I have friends who have met Jesus through Lifegroup. Often times these friends declined many previous invitations but finally came. Upon arrival these friends were welcomed by a group of genuine people who helped melt off the hardness of life. They were pointed to Jesus, encouraged, and prayed for. Some prayed for the first time in years and encountered God’s goodness and love.

I have known strangers who had never been to church trust in Jesus because someone invited them to Lifegroup. I once invited a girl to Lifegroup who had never been to church before and she came. After a few weeks she came to church and gave her life to Jesus! Lifegroup was the gateway to her knowing God.

The list goes on and on. Over and over I have seen God move through Lifegroup. But it has nothing to do with my Lifegroup specifically; it has everything to do with Jesus. As we invite God to do His will in our Lifegroups, as we submit to His authority, and as we obey Him in inviting people He will move in the hearts and minds of people. It may not look like we anticipated but it is a journey that will not disappoint.

I have been so blessed to see Acts 2:42-47 in my life through Lifegroup. “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

Have you checked out a lifegroup? Do you need to give it a second chance? They’re so much fun and they’re all about Jesus. Check one out this week!

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:1-2 ESV)

Jesus made a way for us to have peace with God. Every sin you’ve committed carries a consequence. Our sin has disrupted our relationship with God. Sin has left us restless, reckless, and in absolute depravity, unable to make peace with a perfect God; Until Jesus came. In and through Jesus we find justice and mercy. He did the very thing we could never do. He personally took the penalty for the sins we committed when he died on the cross, and he restores our relationship with God, as we trust Him.

Jesus is our Victor

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57 ESV)

Jesus is our Victor. Jesus defeated the enemy. Each of us has different perspectives and experiences with “the enemy.” However, scripture is clear that the enemy exists and that we are in a spiritual battle, not against people, but against this enemy. Whether it came as an injustice, a perversion, a harsh word, an unfair circumstance, a sickness, or the death of a loved one – we have all encountered the enemy. And yet, there’s hope any and every time we encounter the enemy because we have Jesus as our victor. He has already won. The end of the story has been written.

Jesus is our Light

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12 ESV)

Jesus is our guide into what is True. We live amidst so much confusion; there are so many conflicting answers and paths. We are so prone to persuasion, so caught in a world of wilderness, and it’s dark. If you’re like me, you’re tired of all the easy steps to change your life, sick of feeling incapable of making a good decision on your own, and disgusted with the attempt to keep everyone happy. The great news is that you don’t have to follow everyone anymore. You just have to follow the one true light, Jesus.

Jesus is our Refuge

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28 ESV)

We are guaranteed trials in this life. You were born with a tag that said “Hardship Guaranteed.” You cannot avoid pain and difficulty, but you can find rest in the middle of it. Jesus is our Refuge. His promise is that He will never leave us. His invitation is to come to Him.

Jesus is our Living Water

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” (John 7:37-38 ESV)

Jesus offers us LIFE! Everything else is fleeting. Sadness, emptiness, boredom, those who feel no purpose, hear no compelling point to it all, or see no reason for even living must drink of the fountain of Life: Jesus, The Christ. When the fleeting pleasures of this world are exposed, one thing will remain…. the life of Christ.

Do you feel distant from God? Trust Jesus as your advocate.

Do you feel under attack… like you’re losing the battle? Trust Jesus as your victor.

Do you feel confused and don’t know where to turn? Trust Jesus as your light.

Do you feel tired and heavy laden? Trust Jesus as your refuge.

Do you feel low on purpose and in need of refreshment? Trust Jesus as your Living Water.